Surrogate Mother Pay – How Much Does a Surrogate Get Paid?

The compensation that surrogate mothers receive for carrying a child for someone else should be understood as a package that includes more than a base pay. So, in addition to a base salary that ranges between $30,000 and $50,000, additional benefits of up to $40,000 should be considered.

The flat rate compensation amount varies by state. Simply put, California and Oregon surrogates are in high demand, and for this reason they receive on average $10,000 or more than carriers from all other states. Moreover, experienced surrogates receive a higher compensation than first-time GCs.

Other services like housekeeping, bed rest, childcare, maternity clothes, monthly expenses, and compensation in the event of complications are fees that should be added to the base compensation.

The different sections of this article have been assembled into the following table of contents.

Surrogate mother salary by state

It is a well-known fact when it comes to surrogacy that not only regulations vary by state, but also the overall price. Particularly when it comes to determining the average compensation paid to surrogates, in California and Oregon they are compensated $40,000-$42,000 approximately.

In all other states, this amount varies from $30,000 to $35,000 simply because they are not so commonly demanded states by intended parents. Nonetheless, states like Texas, Nevada, Illinois, Colorado, and Maryland apply similar base rates to the ones in CA and OR.

The base fee is paid monthly in installments beginning with fetal heartbeat confirmation (around week 6 of pregnancy). The number of installments depends on each agency.

The following chart shows the average rates for the most common factors kept in mind when determining the surrogate fees:

Additionally, the fact that she is employed or unemployed causes the base rate to vary in many cases. Although it depends on the agency, normally employed surrogates are compensated at a higher rate of $10,000 for lost wages. It is typically covered in the base rate.

Common additional payments

Surrogates receive a compensation in exchange for their time, dedication, and sacrifice. For this reason, there exist supplemental payments throughout the surrogacy process.

The following are some common additional payments that agencies make to their gestational carriers aside from a base compensation:

$250-$500 contract signing bonus

$300-$500 medical screening fee

$200-$250 mock cycle

$5,000-$5,500 multiple pregnancy fee

$1,000-$1,500 cycle medication and embryo transfer fee

$2,500 pumping breast milk

$100-$150 monthly support group

These payments are intended to compensate surrogates for additional procedures, lost wages, discomfort, etc., but also as incentives before they are ever pregnant.

Additional benefits

The list above includes common surrogacy payments, but surrogates receive the following additional amounts (added to the base fee after a confirmed pregnancy) as well:

It should be noted that all these fees will be paid once the contract has been drafted. After this crucial step, the intended parents will fund the trust account in an amount of money that is sufficient to cover all anticipated fees and expense reimbursements.

FAQs from users

How many times can you be a surrogate?

By Natalia Álvarez (project manager).

Although there is no law that has established a limit on the number of times a woman can be a surrogate, the guidelines set forth by medical professionals indicate that a surrogate candidate cannot exceed a total number of 6 pregnancies, including prior pregnancies.

This means that, for example, a woman who have 5 children of her own, would only be allowed to have a 6th and final pregnancy. A woman who has already had 6 pregnancies won’t qualify to become a surrogate, though.

How much do surrogates make for twins?

By Natalia Álvarez (project manager).

Surrogates receive an extra compensation in case they get pregnant with twins. The multiple fee is about $5,000, but it is taken into account when it comes to adding certain benefits to the base fee, such as maternity clothing ($200 extra in case of multiples).

How much do celebrity surrogates get paid?

By Natalia Álvarez (project manager).

In principle, celebrity surrogates follow the guidelines explained throughout this article. However, the compensation is something agreed upon by the parties when signing the contract, so the final sum depends on each case. For example, it’s well known that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West pay a gran total of $45,000 to their surrogate in 10 monthly installments of $4,500 each.

Which surrogacy agencies pay the most?

By Natalia Álvarez (project manager).

It is not possible for us to give particular names, as the conditions of each surrogacy agreement, and therefore the compensation agreed upon between the parties, varies to a large extent. However, surrogates in states like California, Oregon, Nevada, Illinois, etc. are in high demand, and for that reason they are paid at higher rates.

Is surrogate mother compensation taxable income?

By Natalia Álvarez (project manager).

The truth is, there is no definitive answer to this question. However, as a general rule, it depends on whether it is considered income by the IRS or not. In case it is, then yes, as a surrogate you will be required to pay income taxes both on a federal and state level.

If your contract lists the compensation as pain and suffering for being pregnant, theoretically it should not be taxed.

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Authors and contributors

NataliaÁlvarez

Project Manager

Graduated in Business Administration from the University of Alicante. She has more than 9 years of experience in the field of assisted reproduction and was the creator and director of the first assisted reproduction fair in Spain. She is the director of Wearesurrogacy and is an expert in the sector of surrogacy because during all these years has had the opportunity to know hundreds of real cases of couples who have carried out treatments for surrogacy and the best professionals, international clinics. More information about Natalia Álvarez